Human Information Interaction

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Background and Aim: The aim of this research was to determine the quantity and quality of qualitative studies accomplished by Knowledge and Information Science (KIS) Researchers.

Methods: For this purpose, methodology section of articles published in 13 main Persian Journals in the field of KIS during 2004-2015 had been systematically scrutinized.

Results: Findings showed that:  total of 143 articles had been completed by qualitative methods, indicating unfavorable status of qualitative researches among KIS researchers.   Further, findings showed that mix and Content analysis methods were prevalent methods investigators had used, among the issues examined two publications informing research and academic libraries and library and information science had the highest share in qualitative research publications in KIS. While check list and document analysis were common way of data gathering.

Conclusion: Although the convention of qualitative research in recent years has been of interest to researchers of KIS,  it is still far from preferred objective of focusing on quantitative approaches.  Most focus is on quantitative approach, consequently not incorporating qualitative approaches in KIS studies

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Background and Aim: The current study aimed to investigate the state of health information supply and demand on prostate cancer among Iranian medical researchers and Iranian web users during 2011 to 2015. The purpose of this study, based on infodemiology indicators, was to investigate the alignment of health information supply and demand on prostate cancer among Iranian medical researchers and Iranian web users.
Methods: A mixed method research was conducted. In qualitative part, a focus group interview was applied to the users to identify their selected keywords searched for prostate cancer in Google. The collected data were analyzed using Open Code software. In quantitative part, data were synthesized using R software in two parts. First, users’ internet information-seeking behavior was analyzed using Google Trends outputs during 2011 to 2015. Second, the scientific publication of Iranian prostate cancer specialists was surveyed using PubMed during the period of the study.
Results: The results showed that the search volume index of preferred keywords on prostate cancer have decreased from 2191 in 2011 to 1798 in 2015. Also, the findings revealed that Iranian scholars had 161 scientific papers on prostate cancer in PubMed during 2011 to 2015. Among these 161 papers, 20 records related to 2011 and 44 records related to 2015. There was no significant relationship between users’ information seeking behavior in Google Trends and the scientific publication behavior of Iranian prostate cancer specialists (p>0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results, when the search volume index of Iranian web users decreased or increased during the period of the study, the number of scientific publications had not been affected by users’ search volume. Thus, it can be mentioned that Iranian scholars had not pay enough attention to the concerns of people toward prostate cancer. 

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Background and Aim: Information seeking behavior arises when one feels a void in his/her knowledge which inspires one to acquire new information. The central point in explaining behavior is the fact that many features influence its occurrence, and emotions are considered to be a major element involved in human information behavior.  Also, Information seeking is a positive and negative emotional experience. The aim was to survey the role of emotions in information behavior.
Method:  Library research method was applied to study theoretical foundations and conceptual relationships of emotions in relation to information needs and related concepts. 
Results: By conceptual studies of the models process of information retrieval behavior of Kuhlthau and Nahl, it was found that emotional factors are very important in information retrieval and information-seeking behavior, which is influenced by negative (uncertainty, fear, anger) and positive emotions (happy, confident, satisfied).  Negative emotions increase at the beginning and over time and in the process of searching for information, decreases, while positive emotions intensifies.  Also,  these results indicate that positive emotions may help individuals acquire information to resolve an existing problem, whereas negative emotions may aid individuals acquire information when there is no apparent problem.
Conclusion:   In order to solve information need and to attain appropriate   desirable feedback, it is necessary that emotions be well identified and understood by both the user and the information systems, so  they could be better controlled.

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Background and aim: Information seeking behaviors are the reflection of users' needs that Identifying and understanding them correctly is imperative in information seeking endeavors. Experts have presented cognitive and Process user-oriented approach models to better understand scholars’ information seeking behaviors.  The intent of models are to define and clarify the conditions that predict people's actions to gain information.  As a result of different understanding of information behavior, the study was directed with the intention that Bystrom and Jarvelin's model emphasizes on which concept of this behavior and its measure of Criticism.
Method: Library method was used to study and analyze the Bystrom and Jarvelin's Information Seeking Behavior Model   
Findings: The findings showed that the task complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity of concepts were related, so it could establish a strong place in the establishment of models.
 With the task complexity, the need for knowledgeable people rises. Thus, the setting of resources is significant. Also, as complexity increases, more resources and more time are required to perform the search.
Conclusion: The task complexity is an important variable in the information seeking process.  Consequently, the requirement for the type of information, number, and location of resources arises thus determines the type of information and resources used. Result of which is the increase of collaboration of knowledgeable people as source of information. Thus, information systems are facilitating information counseling of individuals. They are active in this field and could be considered a supplement source of information. Therefore, it is proper to focus more on this aspect of information resources in information systems. Since the task complexity has played a key role in the Bystrom and Jarvelin's model, this notion can be placed next to situational, personal, and organizational factors and may be considered as one of the imperative factors in the information quest, it will thus be a suitable measure for this model.